Fans can join in the building

A lot of dirt will soon be moving across northeastern Louisiana as both of our Football Bowl Series schools enhance their programs with new facilities.

Louisiana Tech University broke ground this past April on a new $20 million-plus south end zone project that is expected to be completed in August 2015.

This past week, the University of Louisiana at Monroe announced the first phase of its new field house, also targeted to open by the start of the 2015 season.

ULM head coach Todd Berry is in his third stint as a head coach and has built similar facilities at his other two stops, Illinois State and Army.

Although Berry never moved into his new office at Illinois State after taking the head job at Army, he emphasizes every year around National Signing Day how important facilities are in your football program.

Berry is entering his 32nd year in the business and has done his research on what student athletes are seeking when making their college decisions. The ULM head coach states every year facilities are at the top of the list, with playing time and academics coming in second and third, respectively.

The facilities at ULM and Louisiana Tech should certainly attract future athletes as both schools show a commitment to succeed, and as Berry puts it, reward the current players for their success, like the 2012 season in which ULM upset Arkansas to start the season and finished with its first winning record on the FBS level, along with its first bowl appearance.

The athletic administration at ULM and Louisiana Tech, along with Berry and Bulldogs' head coach Skip Holtz, are determined to succeed.

Private donations are being used to build the facilities. That money could be used for multiple purposes, including the elimination of money games - ULM currently plays three against top-ranked opponents and usually forces the team into a corner to win all its conference games to have a shot at being bowl eligible.

Instead, the universities are trying to get the best student athletes to help produce seasons like 2012, in which Louisiana Tech also had a standout season when it went 9-3 and went toe to toe with Texas A&M and eventual Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel in a 59-57 loss.

Berry has told past recruiting classes about the desire to come to a school where you get to "build your own house" instead of moving into someone else's, such as the schools that already have some of the top notch facilities.

Several players will tell you that they came to ULM to create their own legacy and lay the foundation, such as the field house, which they will be able to hang their hats on forever.

With football season just around the corner, fans should want to join in on the ride as the story unfolds.

In the end, fan support can further enhance the programs and be part of the legacy that will be depicted in the numerous images hanging in the new field houses in years to come.

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Fans can join in the building

A lot of dirt will soon be moving across northeastern Louisiana as both of our Football Bowl Series schools enhance their programs with new facilities.